Meeting

Date:

1/11/07

Minutes Submitted On:

 

Board Attendees:

Ellen Pratt (EP), Anne Fines (AF), Benji Cragin (BC), Peter May (PM)

Administration Attendees:

Ron Stahley (RS), Amelia Stone (AS), Jim Kane (JK)

Community Attendees:

Nancy Mackler, Gay Foster, Sarah Baker

 

 

                       

Location:

PCS Writing Room

Meeting called to order at:

5 pm

Meeting called to order by:

PM

Finish time:

7:12 pm

 

 

 

NOTE:  These minutes should be considered a draft that awaits approval and possibly amendment by the board at its next scheduled meeting. 

 

AGENDA TOPIC

MOTION

MOVED BY

SECONDED BY

DISCUSSION

PASSED?

Prior Meeting’s Minutes

To adopt the minutes of the 12/14/06 meeting

 

 

 

PM

 

 

BC

 

The minutes of the 1/4/07 meeting were distributed at this meeting and were tabled for approval until the next meeting

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Warrants

To approve warrants #1052 Fast ($719); #1053 Fast  ($700.20); #1055 Fast ($36,139.02); #1056 Fast ($47.25); #1057 Regular ($17,543.42)

 

PM

EP

 

yes

School Forest Committee

AF reported that Lynn Borofsky and some students have mapped a new trail in the School Forest.  They are hoping to have a trail opening day this spring. Thanks to those who have contributed to the School Forest fund. The committee has raised $500.

 

Communications

Mary Ann Deere asked that the board carefully consider the ramifications of making several positions parttime. For example, she asked whether the teachers in the positions being cut will be able to stay if the positions are 80%. She wondered whether we could attract candidates to the parttime positions and she asked what effect the cuts would have on retirement benefits.  She urged the board to consider keeping the positions at full time and expanding their job descriptions to include health instruction or other enrichment activities.

 

Administrators’ Reports

Winter Sports was cancelled today. We still need chaperones for the cross-country skiing program at Grafton Ponds, as well as for the on-campus program.  Those interested in volunteering should please contact AS.  There was a world music assembly on monday which was a big hit. Thanks to the Brattleboro Music Center which has been providing an ensemble series to area schools.

 

RS: There will be a teacher in-service next Tuesday. All instructional teachers grades 1-6 will attend. The focus will be on applying the district learning frameworks to the grade-level expectations.

RS distributed the statewide meeting schedule for Commissioner Cate’s Education Governance discussions. The BUHS will host one of these meetings on May 7.  PCS board members will attend. For more info go to: www.education.vermont.gov/new/html/dept/governance.html

 

 

FY ’08 Budget Review/Discussion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Session

 

        

 

 

JK distributed Draft #1D of the 2007/08 budget, which reflects a reduction of 1 day/week in Art, Library and PE.  This budget shows an increase of 3.3% in the General Operating Fund (this is the portion of the budget over which the school board has influence) and a 3.68% increase in the combined total (includes assessments from the Supervisory Union).

In going through the expenses and revenues, the board noted that PCS is receiving $37,737 for Special Education. JK said that this is only about 5% of what the federal government owes us. The board also noted that the total revenue figure of $5,054,218 includes the $35,000 revenue we received by including the preschool students in our annual school census. JK will make note of that for the final budget.  The estimated homestead tax rate for this budget is $1.440. The per pupil spending is $12,014, under the state cap of $12,594.

 

AF: the Reformer article which ran last week implied that the cutbacks in the areas of Art, PE and/or Library would mean that students would have less time in these areas. This is not the case. Because we have declining enrollment, we have closed four classrooms in the past 4 years. This means that the “Specials” teachers have fewer classes to teach.  There aren’t enough students to fill a five day week for all the specials. We are considering a reallocation of funds to make the best use of resources we have.

PM reiterated that the board’s goal is to deliver level services in those areas. We want to remain known for our quality services.

 

PM said that he doesn’t think we are ready to say what the best approach to foreign language instruction is right now. He suggested that we convene a a study group on the topic.

RS said that when Brattleboro town was considering adding foreign language instruction they established a 6-month Steering committee, and got staff input.  He suggested that PCS could establish a steering committee during spring 07, talk to staff, and survey parents and the community, with the idea of implementing something next spring.  1 day/week language instructor maybe starting next spring. AF urged the board to get community input on the topic.

 

The discussion of the budget was opened to the floor. Attendees expressed concern that by cutting the specials positions current staff may not be able to stay. One attendee urged the board/administrator to consider using existing staff to teach health, foreign language and other enrichment activities, if the board considers adding those areas to the curriculum.  One attendee asked whether the library would remain open on the 5th day if we cut the library position to 80%. AS said that the library would be staffed by a para on that day.

 

AS clarified that we don’t need a licensed health educator in order to teach the health curriculum. Our teachers can integrate health into their curriculum without a certification to teach health.

 

PM moved to enter Executive Session at 6:25 pm to discuss a personnel issue. BC seconded. Passed. The board exited at 6:28 pm.

 

After Executive Session, PM stated that through attrition and staff turnover, there will be sufficient funds to meet our goals for foreign language and health instruction if we choose to add these. AS said that she feels confident that we can support additional time in Title I at the elementary level.  She also noted that Title I teachers can work with any population of student, not just those eligible for Title I. Therefore, the potential exists for Title I teachers to work (parttime) on enrichment activities.

 

 

To approve the budget, with a combined total of $5,054, 218  as reflected in (Draft #1D) Dated 1/11/07

 

PM

BC

 

yes

Executive Session to discuss a personnel/contractual matter. In at 6:53 pm. Out at 7:03 pm

 

To enter Executive Session to discuss contract and personnel issues.

PM

 

 

 

BC

 

 

 

 

 

yes

Personnel Health Insurance Matter

Move to extend health insurance for Dorothy Grout to August 31, 2007

BC

PM

 

yes

Negotiations Committee for paraeducators

RS reported: 1/24/07 next meeting of the paraeducators negotiations committee. 5:30 pm at the Central Office.

 

Early Education

AF reported on the latest meeting of a community group that is meeting to discuss potential solutions to the area’s child care problems (i.e., lack of sufficient child care). The group met on 1/8/07. The committee is waiting to hear back from the United Church of Putney on whether the church can provide child care space.  Additionally the committee noted that there may be some new home-based child care opening up and that the Putney School is investigating a site on campus.  The committee is hoping to link new child care to adult care. PFS is coordinating this effort. If interested in this topic, please contact Mike Mrowicki, Director of Putney Family Services, and/or email Sarah Baker: vintageloohoo@yahoo.com for more information. The committee will meet again on 2/9/07 from 5-7 pm at Neuman Hall.

 

Other

Administrator’s Review. RS: He suggested that the board consider using the 360 degree survey every other year and use a climate review survey on the off years to give the board a better read on whole climate in school. The climate review can answer questions about individual programs. A 360 survey gives feedback on the principal. The board will take up this discussion at its next meeting. AS will bring copies of the climate review for the board to look at.

 

Upcoming Meetings

January 25 (5 pm to accommodate Winter Sports)

Discussion of Administrators review. .Ensure that preparations for Climate Survey which will be distributed in feb. . AS should bring this to next meeting. 

February 8 (5 pm)

Anne Rider to present  on comprehensive assessments

Energy audit

 

March 1 (4:30)

Prepare for Town Meeting

Goal Review for Administrator

 

March 6 Town Meeting

March 22

 

September 2007

Report on school’s compliance with Nutrition Policy

To discuss at future meetings:

Music programming

Preschool

Discussion of how to spend the preschool ADM money

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted by: Board Clerk

This represents my understanding of this meeting.  If you have any changes, please submit them at the next board meeting.